MVP Showdown: Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 7 Preview and Predictions for Western Conference Showdown

The NBA Playoffs are reaching their climax, with the Nuggets and Thunder facing off in a thrilling Game 7 of their second-round series. The stakes are high, with the winner advancing to the Western Conference finals to face the Timberwolves. The matchup between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a clash of styles between basketball's best big man and its best guard, and both players rarely disappoint. Ben Rohrbach believes that the matchup between Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander is a clash of styles between the two MVP candidates, who have a history of delivering in high-stakes games. Tom Haberstroh highlights the desperation of the situation. The Thunder could become the winningest team to miss the conference finals, and the Nuggets don't want to be a second-round out again after witnessing Jokić's triple-double season. There's nothing better than hoops with do-or-die stakes. Dan Titus notes that the one-day break after a nightly hoops marathon since April 18 is torture, but it'll be worth the wait to see two MVP finalists go toe-to-toe in a Game 7. The winner will emerge as the favorite in the eyes of many to win the NBA championship. Morten Stig Jensen emphasizes the MVP angle for him. He's a sucker for playoff series where the two leading candidates go head-to-head, and now we get a seventh game between Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander? Give him all of the drama and all of the narratives afterward.

• Haberstroh: Will the real Jalen Williams please stand up? He's been one of the best clutch players over the last two seasons, but he's been mostly M.I.A. this series. If he steps up, the Thunder will be tough to beat.
• Jason Owens: Getting Jalen Williams going. SGA will get his, but the Thunder need Jalen Williams to be consistent in this series. If he steps up alongside his teammates, OKC will be tough to beat.
• Jensen: Make shots. This Thunder team has struggled behind the long line, and while their issues don't end there, let's not pretend as if this isn't a major reason for why they even find themselves in a seventh game. Swing the ball, seek the corners, and let that bad boy fly.
• Titus: The rebounding battle. If the Nuggets keep this competitive, it'll be because of their rebounding and generating second-chance opportunities. The Thunder need to keep pace on the glass to put themselves in an advantageous position to win.
• Rohrbach: Can Jalen Williams answer the bell as a second option? This was the biggest question facing the young Thunder from the moment the postseason began, and concern about his impact has only grown as he has shot 33.7% from the field for the series. They say role players play better at home, but the Thunder need Williams to be far more than that to achieve their ultimate goal.

What’s the biggest key for the Nuggets in Game 7?

• Jensen: Jokić needs to be Jokić, and maybe more importantly: The supporting cast needs to be ready and effective. We can't have a 4-for-17 performance from Jamal Murray.